Pottawattamie County Public Relations Director Graduates from Leadership Council Bluffs
Posted June 26, 2026
Posted by Public Relations and Board of Supervisors
Pottawattamie County Public Relations Director Kate Gerber graduated from Leadership Council Bluffs Class 38 on June 24 during the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce Mid-Year Meeting and Leadership Graduation ceremony.
Leadership Council Bluffs is a yearlong program hosted by the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce that helps participants deepen their understanding of the community through immersive learning experiences and civic engagement. Gerber was one of 21 community leaders who completed the program as part of Class 38.
Throughout the program, participants meet local leaders, explore key industries and organizations, and gain firsthand insight into the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of Council Bluffs while building relationships with fellow leaders from across the community.
"As someone responsible for helping tell the story of Pottawattamie County, it's important for me to understand the people, organizations, and issues that shape our community,” said Gerber. “Leadership Council Bluffs provided that opportunity in a unique and meaningful way. Through the program, I built relationships with leaders from across Council Bluffs, learned more about the work happening throughout our community, and gained a deeper understanding of the organizations and individuals helping move our region forward. Those connections and insights will continue to benefit my work and the county long after graduation."
During the year, Gerber participated in monthly leadership sessions covering a variety of topics, including public safety, healthcare, local history, and economic development, with an overarching theme of civic engagement. One particularly memorable experience was Public Safety Day, where participants engaged in hands-on activities with local fire and emergency response professionals.
"Seeing how quickly a small fire can spread and experiencing firsthand how difficult it is to operate a fire equipment gave me a deeper appreciation for the training, skill, and dedication of our first responders," Gerber said.
As part of Heritage Day, participants explored historic sites and learned about the events and individuals that helped shape Council Bluffs, including visits to the Squirrel Cage Jail, Historic General Dodge House Museum, and Union Pacific Railroad Museum.
"Even though I grew up just across the river in Omaha and have spent most of my life in this area, I was able to visit places and learn stories I had never experienced before," Gerber said. "It gave me a deeper appreciation for the rich history that helped shape Council Bluffs into the community it is today."
As part of the program, Gerber collaborated with a small group of classmates on a Community Trustees Project in support of the Leadership Council Bluffs Alumni Association. The project focused on strengthening alumni communications and supporting the organization's long-term sustainability and engagement efforts by updating their database of nearly 800 alumni.
Gerber said the experience reinforced the importance of building relationships across industries and organizations.
"This class was incredibly active, engaged, and committed to making a difference in our community," Gerber said. "I've already had opportunities to collaborate with classmates outside of the program. Through a connection I made in Leadership Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County was able to partner with Lewis Central Community School District as the location for hosting The Wall That Heals over Memorial Day weekend, which was an incredibly impactful event for our region. It's a great example of how the relationships built through the program can create unexpected opportunities that benefit the entire community."
When asked what advice she would give future participants, Gerber encouraged them to invest in their connections with classmates.
"Take the time to get to know the people in your class beyond their job titles and organizations," she said. "The relationships you build will far outlast your time in the program and may become one of the most valuable parts of the experience like they were for me. You never know what interests, hobbies, or friendships you'll discover along the way."
Pottawattamie County remains committed to investing in leadership development opportunities that strengthen community partnerships and professional growth. The county will again be represented in Leadership Council Bluffs this fall with a participant already selected for Class 39.
Photo courtesy of Risney Photo and Design and the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce.